Joseph Peter Stewart, or JP as we have come to know him, was born March 15, 2016 at 36 weeks. A completely uncomplicated pregnancy turned into a nightmare as a mere two days before 3/15 we had found out JP's heart had stopped beating. Our lives were turned upside down as we were forced down this path no parent ever wants to walk. 

I was in labor for well over 30 hours and gave birth to a perfect 6lb 1oz, 20 inch baby boy with thick brown hair like his mother, a button nose and perfect lips. The only conclusion they could come to was a cord accident. Little JP's umbilical cord was tightly wrapped 4x around his neck- other than that, nothing. It's absurd to think how the thing that keeps you alive can also be the thing that doesn't. 

After JP was born we cried and held him. Never in my life had I felt something so tragic yet so profoundly beautiful as meeting that sweet boy and not wanting to give him back.

Since then, we've slowly picked the pieces up and attempted to put something back together but after losing a child you realize there is no going back to the "what used to be." But our appreciation for life and those around us that love us has grown tremendously. We have friends and family traveling from out of state just to help us remember JP and let him know no matter how much time passes, he's always with us and he is so loved.